Parenting Montana Website

Parenting Montana, a highly awaited resource is live! You can now access the tools, survey, and media (videos, posters, flyers, etc).

Over the past year, DPHHS has been working with MSU - Center for Health and Safety Culture at Montana State University with an eye at launching ParentingMontana.org. The website contains resources for parents to bolster their parenting social and emotional skills. Formative research completed by the Center shows that parents with stronger social and emotional parenting skills were more than six times as likely to consistently engage in protective behaviors to prevent underage drinking (like establishing clear rules and enforcing those rules).

Based on this formative research, the Center is developed the website with tools and supportive media for parents. The practical tools address developmentally appropriate challenges parents address with their children. Topics include homework, establishing routines, healthy friendships, stress, clear expectations regarding underage drinking, and guidelines for the healthy use and non-use of alcohol for when the children reach age 21.

The tools use a socially- and emotionally-informed process developmentally appropriate for children from elementary school to post high school. As the parents (or those in a parenting role) engage in the process with their children, both the parents and the children develop their social and emotional skills – thus bolstering their parent efficacy and strengthening protection for their children.